FESC vs VYM
First Eagle Small Cap Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, FESC or VYM?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FESC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FESC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $95.8B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.23% |
| Holdings | 355 | 610 |
| YTD Return | -9.37% | +11.84%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.83% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +10.75% |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 25.8% |
| Fund Family | First Eagle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 30, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
FESC vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FESC vs VYM Performance
First Eagle Small Cap Equity ETF (FESC) is an ETF from First Eagle Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, FESC is down 9.37% versus a gain of 11.84% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FESC charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FESC currently yields 0.00% against 2.23% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
22.5% of FESC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's money is in holdings FESC also owns.
FESC and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 49 days apart, FESC as of Oct 19, 2026 and VYM as of Aug 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
36 positions in common, counted across the 174 positions we hold weights for in FESC and 602 in VYM, against full books of 355 and 610.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 543 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for FESC (97.9% of the fund), and 132 for FESC that do not appear in VYM (70.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FESC | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KWRQuaker Chemical Corp. | 0.99% | 0.01% | 0.98% |
| ONBOld National Bancorp/In Common Stock | 0.96% | 0.04% | 0.92% |
| MURMurphy Oil Corp | 0.91% | 0.02% | 0.89% |
| SBCFSeacoast Banking Corp Of Florida | 0.91% | 0.01% | 0.90% |
| LPXLouisiana-Pacific Corp | 0.89% | 0.02% | 0.87% |
| KALUKaiser Aluminum Corp | 0.86% | 0.01% | 0.85% |
| ABMAbm Industries Inc | 0.78% | 0.01% | 0.77% |
| FULHb Fuller | 0.78% | 0.01% | 0.77% |
| SPBSpectrum Brands Holdings Inc | 0.78% | 0.01% | 0.77% |
| HRIHerc Holdings Inc Com | 0.76% | 0.02% | 0.74% |
22.5% of FESC is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FESC or VYM?
FESC has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between FESC and VYM?
22.5% of FESC's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 0.7% of VYM's is in holdings FESC also owns. They hold 36 positions in common, counted across the 174 positions we hold weights for in FESC and 602 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, FESC or VYM?
FESC yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.23%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than FESC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. FESC is less concentrated, with 10.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.